Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Suite 1, Schuylerville, NY 12871
518.581.9128 ext 209 | info@snchga.org
About Us
What We Do
What We Do
The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association is a locally-based all-volunteer organization whose mission is to serve as an official support committee for the Saratoga National Cemetery, so designated by the Veterans Administration. Our veteran volunteer servicemen and women represent all branches of the Armed Forces. We are a tax exempt, 501( c)(19) nonprofit corporation and exist exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in order to advocate for, preserve and support the Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga County on behalf of the veterans of the Armed Services of the United States of America. We are supported through private donations and grants.
What We Do
What We Do
What We Do
We perform ceremonial military funeral honors for honorably discharged veterans at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery located in Schuylerville, New York. Honors consist of three volleys of rifle fire, the playing of taps, the folding and presentation of the American flag, the presentation of three spent rifle casings and the final salute.
Our Color Guard is called upon throughout the year to protect, carry and handle “the colors” which represents the Flag, for ceremonies dedicated to individuals including events, parades, memorial services and changes of command. The Color Guard also carries rifles which symbolizes the protection of the nation.
The Traditions of Military Funeral Honors
What to Expect at the Service
Military Funeral Honors (MFH) is a tradition so important to our nation’s foundation and fabric our Federal Government voted the procedure to honor our deceased Veterans into law. The Department of Defense is legally required, upon family request, to provide every eligible Veteran a final tribute at no cost to the family. All MFH ceremonies performed at the Gerald H.B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery are coordinated between the local Funeral Directors and Cemetery staff.
At the Saratoga National Cemetery, MFH occur at one of the two Committal Shelters, as directed by the Cemetery staff. Honors will normally be rendered by Active Duty military representatives of the deceased Veteran’s military affiliation, supported by the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard (SNC Honor Guard). If Active Duty representatives are not present, the SNC Honor Guard will perform MFH.
Military Funeral Honors
A. Arrival of Funeral Party
The Funeral Party will assemble at the Visitor Center near the Cemetery entrance and follow direction by the Cemetery representative and Funeral Director. The Cemetery representative will lead the hearse or vehicle containing the deceased Veteran’s remains through the Cemetery grounds to the designated Committal Shelter.
Active Duty or SNC Honor Guard personnel will be standing at curbside awaiting arrival of the deceased Veteran and Funeral Party. The MFH personnel will either follow the American Flag-draped casket escorted by pallbearers to the Shelter, or carry the cremains and the folded American Flag to the Shelter.
The Rifle Detail will march to the designated Firing Line as the Funeral Party approaches and remains in place while the Funeral Party walks to the Committal Shelter.
The Bugler steps to the designated location as the Funeral Party approaches and remains in place while the Funeral Party walks to the Committal Shelter.
B. Committal Shelter
Each Shelter seats approximately 18 attendees, with one seat in front designated for Next of Kin, the recipient of the American Flag and rifle cartridges. The casket or urn is placed at the front of the Shelter, with either Active Duty or SNC Honor Guard personnel standing vigil on each side.
The Active Duty and SNC Honor Guard personnel wait for all attendees to arrive at the Shelter.
C. Rendering Military Funeral Honors
Once the attendees are assembled in and around the Shelter, the MFH Detail Leader initiates Military Funeral Honors, comprised of the following procedures:
• Introduction of MFH
• Three Rifle Volleys
• The playing of Taps
• Folding and presentation of the American Flag
• Presentation of 3 spent rifle casings
• Retire the Military Service Flag of the deceased Veteran
• The Final Salute
D. Rifle Detail
Upon command to initiate MFH, the Rifle Detail fires three rounds, which can be quite loud. The Detail then goes to the position of Present Arms, awaiting the playing of Taps.
E. Taps
Following the three rifle volleys, the Bugler plays Taps. During the playing of Taps, the Funeral Party is invited to stand, if able, and civilians requested to place their hand over their heart, while Active Duty members and Veterans are invited to salute.
F. Folding and Presentation of the American Flag
Following Taps, Active Duty or SNC Honor Guard personnel will formally fold the American Flag and present the folded Flag to the Next of Kin or designated recipient.
G. Presentation of 3 Spent Rifle Casings
The SNC Honor Guard representative will present three rifle casings in memory of the three rifle volleys fired in honor of the deceased Veteran’s service to our Nation. The three casings represent Duty, Honor and Valor.
H. The Final Salute
The SNC Honor Guard retires the Military Service Flag, and the Honor Guard Leader steps to center of the Shelter, directly in front of the casket or urn, and renders a Final Salute to the deceased Veteran. The Honor Guard Leader then steps away to the rear of the Shelter, concluding Military Funeral Honors.
As the Military Service Flag is retired, the Rifle Detail and Bugler march in formation to the rear of the Shelter.
Following MFH, religious, funeral home and family representatives will typically conduct services and offer comments. The Cemetery representative will then request the Funeral Party to return to their vehicles and depart as MFH services are scheduled every thirty minutes depending on the day’s schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like all time-honored traditions, the rendering of Military Funeral Honors at the Gerald H.B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery incorporates some customs and traditions you may be interested in. Here are some of the most commonly-asked questions:
Should I Salute and When?
If you’re currently in military duty status or a Veteran, you’re invited to stand and salute:
• When the Flag-draped casket, whether in a hearse or transported on a cart, passes in front of you
• During the playing of Taps
Civilians are invited to stand, remove your hat, and place your hand over your heart:
• When the Flag-draped casket, whether in a hearse or transported on a cart, passes in front of you
• During the playing of Taps
What Should I Wear?
Military service members are encouraged to wear their service dress uniform. Civilians are requested to wear clothing appropriate for a formal occasion and comfortable for the seasonal conditions, realizing that rendering of Military Funeral Honors is conducted outdoors.
How long does Military Funeral Honors and the following services last?
Anticipate 20-30 minutes from arrival at the Committal Shelter to completion of MFH and the following religious, funeral home and/or family services.
Can I Bring Children?
There are no restrictions regarding children attending Military Funeral Honors, and in fact are encouraged to attend in order to observe our Nation’s final military tribute to their loved one. The Funeral Home Director can offer guidance on proper decorum, and parents should remind their children to be respectful. Please keep in mind the rifle volleys are quite loud, so parents may want to cover their youngster’s ears during the three rifle volleys.
Should I Turn Off My Phone?
Absolutely. Phones should be in vibrate or silent mode. Audible notifications and ringtones are highly disturbing and disrespectful during this solemn event. Unless specially requested or allowed by the family, do not record the service or take photos until the ceremony is complete and the Next of Kin has received the folded American Flag.
Can I Bring Flowers?
Please check with the Funeral Party Funeral Director, or if not available, the Cemetery representative when assembling at the Visitor’s Center prior to proceeding to the Committal Shelter.
Three Volleys of Rifle Fire
Three Volleys of Rifle Fire
At military funerals, one often sees three volleys of shots fired in honor of the deceased veteran. It is often mistaken by the laymen as a 21-gun salute, although it is different. In the military, a “gun” is a large-caliber weapon. The three volleys are fired from “rifles,” not “guns.”
At the Saratoga National Cemetery, all military funeral honors include a 3-volley salute. The rifle detail is generally made up of a team of seven each firing three shots – thus the association to the “21-Gun Salute”.
The three volleys come from an old battlefield custom. The two warring sides would cease hostilities to clear their dead from the battlefield, and the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle.
Playing Of Taps
The origins of “Taps,” the distinctive bugle melody played at U.S. military funerals and memorials and as a lights-out signal to soldiers at night, date back to the American Civil War. In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call employed by the Army to indicate to troops it was time to go to sleep, and thinking the call should sound more melodious, Butterfield reworked an existing bugle call used to signal the end of the day. After he had his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton, play it for the men, buglers from other units became interested in the 24-note tune and it quickly spread throughout the Army, and even caught on with the Confederates.
Not long after Butterfield created “Taps,” it was played for the first time at a military funeral, for a Union cannoneer killed in action. The man’s commanding officer, Captain John Tidball, decided the bugle call would be safer than the traditional firing of three rifle volleys over the soldier’s grave, a move which couldn’t been confused by the nearby enemy as an attack. As for the name “Taps,” the most likely explanation is that it comes from the fact that prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, dubbed the “Drum Taps,” as well as “The Taps” and then simply “Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers referred to it as “Taps,” although this was an unofficial moniker, according to “Taps” historian and bugle expert Jari Villanueva. He notes that Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as “Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, “Taps” also has been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals.
Every Honor Guard Squad has a dedicated bugler who performs the melody.
13 Folds of the flag
At the Saratoga National Cemetery either Active Duty or the Honor Guard pay meticulous attention to folding the American flag that once draped the casket. If it is an urn ceremony, the flag is first unfolded and then folded. Guards make crisp, precise folds a total of 13 times to complete the ceremony. Much like every other aspect of our nation’s greatest symbol, each of the 13 folds holds a special significance.
Flag etiquette dictates that every time an American flag is to be stored or presented during a ceremony, its handlers should fold it in half twice lengthwise; then starting with the end opposite the blue field, make a taut triangular fold. Handlers continue to fold the flag in triangles until the flag has formed a triangular “pillow” with the blue field showing on the outside. It’s a dignified way to treat the flag, and gives a powerful touch to patriotic ceremonies.
This 13-fold procedure was common long before the more modern assigned meanings. The source and date of origin of the meanings is unknown, but for those who participate or witness a formal flag folding ceremony, whether it be on Flag Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, or at a military funeral, the 13 meanings can create an uplifting experience.
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is an acknowledgment to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”